Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud accorded state minister rank

Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, chairman of the Invest Bangladesh Authority, has been accorded the rank and status of a state minister by the government.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division yesterday (25 August), Ashik Chowdhury will receive the salary, allowances and other benefits applicable to a state minister while serving as chairman of the authority.

The decision was taken to facilitate the chairman in discharging his responsibilities and strengthen the authority's role in promoting and facilitating investment, the notification said.

He previously held the rank of a state minister while serving as executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).

The Invest Bangladesh Authority was formed through the merger of BIDA, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPA).

The authority formally began operations on 20 August after the government brought the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026 into force through a gazette notification.

The new authority aims to provide investors with simpler, faster and more coordinated access to approvals, registrations, import-export services, incentives, industrial zones and other government services.

The Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026 also sets out procedures and timelines for licences, approvals and service delivery.

Through the new administrative structure, the government aims to attract domestic and foreign investment by providing a unified platform, or a "one-stop service", for investors.

The government appointed Ashik Chowdhury as chairman of the Invest Bangladesh Authority on a one-year contractual basis on 21 August.

He previously served as executive chairman of BIDA and BEZA and as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Public-Private Partnership Authority.

The integrated authority, operating under the Prime Minister's Office, will serve as the country's apex investment promotion agency.